Miniature rose plant/Minnco

ABSTRACT

The subject of the present disclosure is a new and distinct variety of miniature rose plant characterized by the pink color of the very double flowers and by the prostrate spreading habit of growth.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of hardy, low growing ground cover type rose plant of the miniature class; the variety being primarily characterized--as to novelty--by (A) the pink coloration of the flowers which in general color effect are similar to Stacey Sue (Miniature--U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,158) and (B) by the spreading ground cover growth habit.

The variety is further characterized by:

An abundance of bloom, with flowers usually borne in clusters or sprays.

Little or no fragrance.

A plant which is vigorous, of dense, spreading habit with semi-glossy to glossy small foliage, with pointed leaflets; the buds and flowers being similar in form and size to Stacey Sue (miniature--U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,158).

The plant, which has a normal height of 8-12 inches and a spread of 3 to 5 feet, can be easily maintained at lesser spread by occasional trimming.

A plant which grows and blooms satisfactorily outdoors; is good for growing in pots, tubs, hanging baskets or as a ground cover; and provides excellent garden decoration.

The present variety of miniature rose was originated by me at my nursery located at Dallas, Tex., under conditions of careful control and observation, as a seedling of Red Cascade (miniature--U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,962), the seed parent being Red Cascade with the pollen parent being (supposedly) the same.

Subsequent to origination of the variety I successfully reproduced it, at my nursery located as aforesaid, by cuttings; the reproductions having run true in all respects.

The color photograph illustrates the variety, including the foliage, bud and flowers.

Referring now specifically to the new and distinct variety of miniature rose plant, the following is a detailed description thereof in outline; all major color plate identifications being by reference to The British Colour Council Horticultural Colour Chart, except where common terms of color definition are employed.

Type: Hardy: dense; spreading; seedling; outdoor; garden decoration; potted plant; ground cover.

Class: Miniature. International identification: MINNCO.

Commercial synonym: Pink Carpet.

Flowers borne: Usually in cluster or spray of 5 to 15 flowers.

Quantity of bloom: Abundant.

Bud:

Peduncle.--Medium to long length; slender but sturdy; medium green, sometimes tinted bronze (outdoors); hairs -- several and small.

Before calyx breaks; size.--Small. Form short; pointed with several foliaceous apendages and several tiny hairs on surface of bud; with foliaceous parts extending beyond the tip of the bud equal to less than one-half of its length.

Color.--Medium green, occasionally tinted with bronze (outdoors).

As calyx breaks, color.--Pinkish, sometimes tinted reddish. Opening: opens well in all weather.

Bloom:

Size when fully open.--Small, averaging about 30 mm (11/4").

Petalage very double.--Averaging 50 petals or more, arranged regularly plus sometimes several small petaloids.

Form.--Flat, with petals reflexing loosely outward, and later at maturity, rolled loosely outward and downward. Open flowers show no stamens.

Petals: Fairly thick; satiny on inside and on outside surface.

Shape.--Outside petals, broad lanceolate -- With rounded tip; Intermediate -- Broad lanceolate with rounded tip; inside -- Lanceolate with rounded tip.

Color: Newly opened flower from a plant grown outdoors (1983 season), Dallas, Tex.

Outside petals.--Outside surface -- Near Fuchsine Pink 627/1 (or darker) becoming near white at base. Inside surface -- Near Fuchsine Pink 627/1 or lighter with small near white area at base.

Intermediate petal.--Outside surface -- near Fuchsine Pink 627/2 with small near white area at base. Inside surface -- near Fuchsine Pink 627/1 with small near white area at base.

Inner petal.--Outside surface -- same as intermediate petal; Inside surface -- Same as intermediate petal. Mature flowers become lighter color as they age. NOTE: Petals may become lighter at tips as flowers age. General color effect; Newly opened flowers -- Medium pink. Three days open -- Color similar to newly opened flowers but less brilliant. Behavior -- Opens well in all weather. Flower longevity (Oct. 1983) -- Plant in pot 7-10 days or longer. Cut flowers at living room temperature 4-5 days or longer.

Reproductive organs:

Stamens.--None.

Filaments.--None.

Anthers.--None.

Pollen.--None.

Pistils.--Malformed.

Styles.--Malformed.

Ovaries.--All enclosed in calyx.

Hips: None.

Sepals.--Permanent; spear shaped; recurved against peduncle.

Seed.--None.

Foliage:

Leaves.--Compound of five (sometimes three or seven) leaflets; small; leathery; semi-glossy to glossy.

Leaflets.--Shape: broad, lanceolate, apex acute; base rounded or rounded acute. Margin serrate. Color: Medium green; New growth -- Normal (medium) green. Rachis: Medium strength; upper side quite smooth; grooved; underside sparsely thorny with few or no tiny prickles. Stipules: Short to medium long; narrow width; short length; narrow points which turn out usually at about 45 degrees.

Growth:

Habit.--Bushy; spreading; much branched.

Growth.--Free vigorous; internodes short.

Canes.--Medium; slender; weeping; prostrate.

Main stems.--Color; Medium green.

Thorns.--Several; slender straight, inclined slightly downward; color; tan. Prickles -- None. Hairs -- None.

Branches.--Color: medium green. Thorns: several; short to medium length; slender; nearly straight, inclined downward. Medium oval base. Prickles: None. Hairs: None.

The miniature rose plant and its flowers as herein described may vary in slight detail due to climatic, soil and cultural conditions under which the variety may be grown; the present description being of the variety as grown at Dallas, Tex. 

The following is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct variety of miniature rose plant of hardy, dense, much branched, prostrate (spreading) habit, substantially as illustrated and described, characterized by buds and flowers of a medium pink color, being of a shade generally near Fuchsine Pink 627/1 or lighter, the bud and flower resembling the variety Stacey Sue (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,158) in form and size; and further characterized by a plant of vigorous, much branched, prostrate growth habit, easy to propagate from cutting, with an abundance of flowers borne usually in clusters of 5 to
 15. 